Missing alligator found alive in Kansas City after more than 10 days

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After little-to-no updates, suspended searches and numerous headlines published across the metro, the infamous alligator that disappeared from a Kansas City middle school was found alive after more than a week.

The 2-year-old American alligator, now known as Alex, was part of an impromptu petting zoo exhibit at Lakeview Middle School in the Northland on Thursday, May 23. While serving as a special guest at the school, the alligator vanished without a trace.

However, the mystery ended on Monday morning when a member of Lakeview's custodial staff found Alex outside the back door to the middle school, the Park Hill School District said.

Now, after his 11-day excursion, Alex sits at the KC Pet Project where he undergoes tests to determine the state of his health and well-being.

When Alex disappeared, Eric Smith, the alligator's owner and operator of Thorni Ridge Exotics Mobile Petting Zoo, felt there was more to the story than just a runaway gator. He filed a theft report with the Kansas City Police Department, believing someone had taken Alex because his animal enclosures are tough to escape.

Now, Smith says he is awaiting a call from the organization and animal control after not being allowed to take Alex home due to veterinary restrictions.

Even though Alex's disappearance affected Smith over the last 11 days, he was not the only one worried about the little gator.

Kansas City residents, animal advocates and animal control organizations searched for the 14-inch reptile, hoping they would find it safe. While participating in the petting zoo, Alex's mouth was taped shut to ensure the safety of students and staff. This, however, left him vulnerable to predators after his escape.

According to Tori Fugate, a spokesperson for KC Pet Project, a main concern wasn't with predators, though. It was people.

“(The school) is right off 64th Street. There’s a grocery store across the street. There’s a lot of traffic. We’re concerned the animal is going to be hit by a car, unfortunately,” Fugate said.

To add to the concern, as animal control officers searched for the missing alligator, it was revealed that the school district did not obtain an animal shows permit from the KC Pet Project's Animal Services Division for the petting zoo, which is required per Chapter 14 of the city code.

Fugate said this could mean a citation for the school district, but this has not been confirmed or denied by the school or city.

The district did, however, comment on Alex's rescue, saying, "We are grateful for our community’s support in being aware of the missing alligator and even helping to look for it in some instances. We are glad the alligator was found safely."

As more information is released about Alex's condition and his disappearance, FOX4 will update this story with the latest details.